NPP stabilized the economy before Mahama took over – Sammi Awuku

Sammi Awuku has rejected claims that the economy was “criminally managed” under Nana Akufo-Addo, arguing that inflation alone should not define the overall economic performance.

In a Facebook post, Awuku explained that while inflation increased, it does not equate to mismanagement of the economy. He noted that former President John Mahama inherited an inflation rate of 9.4% from President Mills but left it at 15.4% in 2016.

In contrast, Akufo-Addo reduced inflation to 7.6% in 2019 before global crises caused it to rise.

Awuku attributed the rise in inflation to imported factors, such as the global increase in oil prices and freight charges, following the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Despite the inflation, he highlighted that the NPP government implemented policies to stabilize inflation at 23% by the time the economy was handed over to Mahama. He also pointed out that the economy under Akufo-Addo recorded a 6% growth, higher than Mahama’s 3.4% in 2016.

Additionally, Awuku emphasized that the economy left by Akufo-Addo had a trade surplus, nearly $9 billion in gross international reserves, and a lower fiscal deficit compared to Mahama's administration.